They’re not standing around the watercooler, but Cheryl Sadler, Mark Meszoros, Mark Podolski and Nicole Franz are talking about what they’ve been watching, listening to and playing during their free time.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Most Anticipated Version 2.0

By Nick CarrabineNCarrabine@News-Herald.com

As 2009 was one of the worst years I can remember in music history, 2010 has rebounded very nicely.

Either that, or I’ve finally been able to just completely block out all the sewage that has been released over the radio.

I forgot what Kesha looks like, I don’t care that Katy Perry is a California Girl, I’m unaware if Justin Bieber is still breathing and I’m very pleased to tell you that when people say “teach me how to Dougie,” I honestly have no idea what they are talking about (and for the first time in my life, makes me feel kind of old.)

But so far, 2010 has seen some solid releases from Eminem, Nas, Stone Temple Pilots, Reflection Eternal and B.o.B., among others.

It’s also going to get better as the following albums to be released by the end of the year are coming with much anticipation.

1.) Taking Back Sunday - Live from Orensanz: Aug. 17- In a strange move, TBS is releasing a CD/DVD of a live acoustic performance they performed back in December. This wouldn’t seem out of the ordinary had they not kicked out two of the members four months later and then reunited with the original members back in May. So this is awkward to say the least as the band is once again different however I cannot wait for this album as not only is it a live acoustic performance, but there is a full string orchestra behind them as well. I’m already labeling this one of my favorite albums in my collection.

2.) Terrible Things - Self-titled: Aug. 31- This will be the debut album released by somewhat of a super-group formed by one of the many former Taking Back Sunday guitarist/back-up vocalist Fred Mascherino, former Coheed & Cambria drummer, Josh Eppard and former Hot Rod Circuit frontman, Andy Jackson. I was wary about this project at first, simply because Mascherino released a sub-par solo record following his 2007 departure from TBS but most of this album has already leaked and surprisingly it’s pretty good.

3.) Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns: Sept. 14- I’m actually pretty embarrassed that I just found out about this release date a few weeks ago. Normally I’m on top of stuff like this however LP will release their first album in more than three years and I have no idea what to expect as nothing from the album has leaked yet, not even the first single (which is set to be released Monday.) Their third album was significantly different/darker than their first two albums and was more straight forward rock than it was rock/rap. I do know one thing, legendary producer Rick Rubin co-produced the album with the group’s emcee, Mike Shinoda and anything Rubin touches turns into gold.

4.) Weezer - still untited: Sept. 14- I’m running out of patience with Weezer, who I still consider to be one of my favorite bands of all time. With that said, their last two releases were borderline embarrassing, especially 2009’s inexplicable Ratitude. It’s almost as if the band isn’t trying anymore. Frontman Rivers Cuomo promised that the band will return to a “raw rock” record but I’m done with the Lil’ Wayne collabos, songs about pork and beans and hanging out at the mall. The band that used to spend two to three years writing and producing a record will shell out it’s third album in two years. That doesn’t sit well with me. Nonetheless, I’ll buy it.

5.) Joe Budden - The Great Escape: Sept. 14- This album was supposed to be released last year, then in February, now Budden is saying it’ll be released in September. I’ll believe it when I see it. I have my doubts this will actually be released but I’m hoping it does because Budden is one of the five or six rappers I still really look forward to and can still stomach.

6.) Kanye West - Not yet titled: Sept. 14- Kanye's first release since his abysmal 2008 808s and Heartbreak where he returns to rap music and not, well, whatever 808s and Heartbreak was. Kanye has been completely out of the limelight since he embarrassed himself at the MTV music awards after he stormed the stage telling Taylor Swift he'll "let her finish" before claiming Beyonce's "Single Ladies" was the "best music video of all-time." Well, Kanye, I'm gonna let you finish recording your record, but I'm writing the best blog of all-time.

7.) Jimmy Eat World - Invented: Sept. 28- As I’ve said a few times earlier on this blog, Jimmy Eat World is one of the most underrated bands in the past 12 years. This will be their sixth release and first in three years. I have yet to hear any material from the record as I’ve purposely avoided listening to the raw demos but I’m sure with the band’s track record, it will be just as good and consistent as their previous material.

8.) T.I. - King Uncaged: Sept. 28- Although one of the most popular rappers of the decade, I believe T.I. has been pretty inconsistent. Didn’t care for his debut, I’m Serious (I'm serious), but fell in love with his follow-up Trap Muzik. Urban Legend was decent while KING was forgettable and T.I. vs. T.I.P. was downright atrocious. Paper Trail, released in 2008 before his year long prison stint was solid, and probably my second favorite T.I. record so I have high expectations for King Uncaged.

9.) Senses Fail - The Fire: Oct. 19- While a little harder than most bands, Senses Fail has quietly put together a solid career. This will be their fourth LP in the past seven years and they continue to gain critical and commercial success following their last two albums Life is a Waiting Room and Still Searching.

Expected to be released by the end of the year:

Lupe Fiasco - LASERS:- This has been on my most anticipated list since January of 2009. Enough is enough. The album is done and has been done for quite some time. In short, this is stuck in developmental hell. Universal Records has not set a release date because, as Lupe told fans, they don’t think the album has any solid mainstream singles. Note to Universal Records, Lupe isn’t a mainstream artist. Lupe has refused to give into demands by changing how his record sounds or who it’s aimed at. Some have called Lupe stubborn, I for one applaud Lupe for making music he wants to make, and not letting record executives change who he is and what he’s about. Fans have begun a petition demanding that Universal releases the album. More than 16,000 fans have signed it and Universal Records tweeted this past weekend that “LASERS is coming” however still no release date has been set.

Sum 41 - Screaming Bloody Murder:- No release date has been set but it’s supposed to come out in the winter and the first song released is vastly different from anything the band has done in the past but very good. Sounds like something straight from My Chemical Romance’s catalog.

An early look at 2011:My Chemical RomanceTaking Back SundayBaysideRed Hot Chili PeppersPanic! at the DiscoBright EyesCakeBlink-182Nas